Overview
- American, which announced changes Thursday, set airport fees at $50 for a first checked bag, $60 for a second, and $200 for a third, with a $5 online discount starting April 9.
- Delta and Southwest raised first and second bag fees to $45 and $55 this week, joining United, JetBlue, and Alaska in creating near-standard pricing across major U.S. airlines.
- Jet fuel jumped from about $85–$90 per barrel in February to roughly $209, and Delta said Q1 fuel expense hit $2.6 billion as it projects more than $2 billion in added costs for Q2.
- Most carriers still waive bag charges for elites, premium-cabin travelers, many co‑brand cardholders, and active-duty military, while American will add seat-selection fees to Basic Economy tickets bought on or after May 18.
- The higher fees fall mainly on economy travelers without status or airline cards, and a court recently voided a rule to show fees up front as experts say these increases are likely to stick.